All along we know that the livelihood of the natives in Malaysia be it Penan or other aborigine groups in East and West Malaysia has been neglected by the authority. As the political parties are campaigning in the town or urban during elections, they often forget the minority native communities that are in the dire needs for help. It is not difficult to understand, political parties are campaigning for votes, ruling parties or oppositions alike, so it is only logical for them to go campaigning at places where they think they can get more votes.
The alleged abuse on Penan girls as reported by NGO Bruno Manser Foundation of late is nothing new. It has been in existence for a long time. It is not merely a criminal problem but more towards a socioeconomic problem. Young native girls become easy prey for errant loggers mainly because of the strained and reduced circumstances and poor living environment. Instead of blaming the NGO for tarnishing the image of our country by reporting issues like this, we should be appreciative as without them, our politicians will never step their feet on the barren land of remote countryside.
I often visit remote areas in Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang during the course of work. Sometime, I met up with some young native children studying in the primary schools located in the oil palm estates where I was visiting. These schools are mostly financed or operated by the plantation companies with limited resources or support from the government. Some native families are reluctant to send their children to the school as it is too far away from their home.
Sometime, I do come across some young native kids who look notably like Chinese. My friend in the estate always joked that they could be the offspring of one of the planters. Joking aside, if the alleged victimization of young Penan girls reported by BMF is true, then not only the culprits is guilty, the government is equally responsible for not being able to bring up the livelihood of the native minority.
The alleged abuse on Penan girls as reported by NGO Bruno Manser Foundation of late is nothing new. It has been in existence for a long time. It is not merely a criminal problem but more towards a socioeconomic problem. Young native girls become easy prey for errant loggers mainly because of the strained and reduced circumstances and poor living environment. Instead of blaming the NGO for tarnishing the image of our country by reporting issues like this, we should be appreciative as without them, our politicians will never step their feet on the barren land of remote countryside.
I often visit remote areas in Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang during the course of work. Sometime, I met up with some young native children studying in the primary schools located in the oil palm estates where I was visiting. These schools are mostly financed or operated by the plantation companies with limited resources or support from the government. Some native families are reluctant to send their children to the school as it is too far away from their home.
Sometime, I do come across some young native kids who look notably like Chinese. My friend in the estate always joked that they could be the offspring of one of the planters. Joking aside, if the alleged victimization of young Penan girls reported by BMF is true, then not only the culprits is guilty, the government is equally responsible for not being able to bring up the livelihood of the native minority.
No comments:
Post a Comment